9 Treatments to Soothe Psoriasis

Traditional and Alternative Treatment Options

The symptoms of psoriasis can be difficult to hide. The bright redness and flaky, scaly patches can creep across the hands, arms, neck, and other parts of the body. But the good news is that there are many psoriasis treatments that help control different types of psoriasis, from mild to severe. Options range from traditional topicals to injectable drugs to alternative treatments. Talk to your doctor about which of these treatment options may be right for you.

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The Advantages of Topical Psoriasis Treatments

Many people who are treated for psoriasis use some type of topical medication. Topicals containing cortisone or retinoidare are commonly prescribed for symptoms of psoriasis. Coal tar and anthralin ointments or creams can also help minimize symptoms. Psoriasis treatments that help slough off the scales from the skin include salicylic acid and lactic acid, while a shampoo formulated to treat psoriasis can typically treat psoriasis on the scalp.

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Injectable and IV Psoriasis Treatments

More severe cases may require treating psoriasis with medications that can circulate throughout the system. Some drugs, including biologics, are injected or administered intravenously, so the drugs can flow through your bloodstream and reach tissues and cells throughout your body to reduce inflammation and manage the psoriasis symptoms. Biologic drugs used for treating psoriasis include Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), and Enbrel (etanercept).

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Oral Medications for Psoriasis

Oral medications are another effective treatment for more severe psoriasis. These drugs include cyclosporine, a medication traditionally given to people who have received an organ transplant to prevent rejection. Methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug, may also be given to reduce and treat the symptoms of psoriasis. Retinoids (a form of vitamin A) can be given orally as psoriasis treatment in a drug called Soriatane (acitretinin).

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Ultraviolet Light Therapy

Symptoms of psoriasis can actually improve with a little exposure to sunlight. But it won't work to just step into your backyard and sun yourself on a lawn chair — phototherapy with ultraviolet light is a medical treatment performed under a doctor's supervision and often used in conjunction with other psoriasis treatments. You first take a medication that makes your skin more light-sensitive, then your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light (either UVA or UVB) for a period of time.

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Try a Psoriasis Home Remedy

For mild symptoms of psoriasis, home remedies might do the trick. Skin affected by psoriasis flakes reddens and peels when it gets too dry, so applying a rich moisturizer to your skin can help manage your psoriasis symptoms.

Another psoriasis home remedy is a simple oatmeal bath. Sprinkling one cup of oatmeal in your bath water can help loosen thick scales on the skin so they fall off.

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Manage Stress to Manage Psoriasis

Stress is thought to trigger symptoms of psoriasis, so keeping it under control is a good treatment method. Find ways to relax by getting regular exercise, stretching and deep breathing with yoga, learning to meditate, or joining a psoriasis support group. Pick activities you really enjoy and consider them regular psoriasis treatments that help you unwind and battle the stress that you can't avoid in life — even if it's just finding time to laugh with friends over dinner or a movie.

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The Doctor Fish Is In

Ichthyotherapy is more than an unusual word — it's an unusual idea. It's the use of fish to treat health conditions, including psoriasis. Tiny toothless "doctor" fish pick away at the skin to remove psoriasis scales. If you're looking for an alternative, having doctor fish treatments may be an option to consider. (They're also used in exotic pedicures, by the way.)

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Ancient Psoriasis Treatment Alternatives

A mind-body approach to psoriasis treatment can help clear up your skin and alleviate stress, which in turn helps to keep symptoms of psoriasis from flaring. If you're looking for psoriasis alternative treatments, consider trying some ancient Chinese techniques, such as acupuncture or acupressure, or topical herbs like aloe, tea tree oil, or capsaicin. Also, look into ayurevedic medicine, or ayurveda, an ancient Indian practice that includes yoga, other mind-body techniques, and the use of herbs.

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Dead Sea Salt Soak

Research has shown that soaking in a bath of Dead Sea salts can actually alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis in some people. It's thought that lithium and manganese may be the elements of the Dead Sea salts that make it effective as a psoriasis treatment. If you can't afford a plane ticket to Israel or packaged Dead Sea salts, studies have found that a simple baking soda bath is also effective in managing the symptoms of psoriasis.

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